[DoctorEldritch]

Hello Legion Gamers!

Today is the 17th of August, and here is a little piece of trivia for you: it is Black Cat Appreciation Day!

And black cats deserve some extra appreciation, they have it tough! Despite being very graceful and really a miniature version of the Amazonian jaguar, black cats are still often seen as signs of bad luck by many people, and the common superstition is that if a black cat crosses your path, some misfortune will soon follow. And it is sad that, because of this rep, black cats and kittens are often overlooked when animal shelters are looking for new homes, and can be at the shelter much longer than they should be.

It was not always like this, though. Long ago, Celts believed that fairies could take the form of black cats, and therefore their arrival to a home or village was seen as a sign of good luck instead of a bad one. But as that mythology was replaced, that attitude towards black cats was branded as pagan belief, and black cats went from being seen as the vessels of fairies to the vessels of witches and demons. It got so bad during the Dark Ages that it became common practice to severely punish those who kept black cats as pets, and even kill the animals themselves. Which (surprise!) lead to the increase of rodent population and then the Black Plague. Nature's way of telling us that it's wrong to kill black cats.

Not surprisingly then that nowadays black cats are often portrayed as familiars of witches. The most famous one would probably be Sabrina's cat Salem:


Salem. Saberhagen Salem.

So on this day of black cat appreciation, I want to ask, what would be your familiar if you could choose a magical animal companion? Black cats are a classic and popular choice, but there are other good candidates. The recent Baldur's Gate 3 alone has a frog, raven, or even an imp to choose from, and the D&D system it's based on has even more exotic options like tressym, gazer or inkling. Take your pick!

[DoctorEldritch]

Personally, while I like black cats, I'd rather go with something more magical in this hypothetical. Maybe a black tressym.

[DracoTarot]

@DoctorEldritch People asked me to do a lot of readings on this subject. "Who is my familiar?" "What does my familiar think of me?"

I've done pages upon pages of familiar readings over the past two years. Most of my clients associate with gargoyles. Cats are also most common.

[DoctorEldritch]

@DracoTarot Wait, do you mean "familiar" or "spirit animal"? I guess these terms sometimes coincide, but just to be clear, what exactly is seen as "familiar" when this term is used in a Tarot reading?

[DracoTarot]

@DoctorEldritch Clients mostly mention a familiar as they have bonds with animals, spirits, stones, flowers, trees, herbs, mycelium, stars and ancestors that are closest to them.

People tend to have more than one familiar and in most cases a spirit animal. Both terms do coincide.

[DracoTarot]

@DoctorEldritch Some clients also refer to their familiar or spirit animal as a companion or Guardian Angel.

[PaulWoodard]

Black Cat Appreciation Day, huh? Black cats are seriously underrated. It's crazy how superstitions can mess with their rep. I'd totally rock a black cat companion – they've got that mysterious vibe.

But if I had to go magical animal, I'd lean towards a raven. They've got that whole smart and enigmatic thing going on. Plus, it's a classic choice for a reason, right?

Happy appreciating, y'all!

[Saka]

I don't actually know what would be my familiar.

My spouse says I attack like a viper in kendo though. 🤣
Today I was finally able to fight after being sick for 2.5 months (still not out of the woods, but the situation improved, as I found a way to suppress symptoms temporarily), I did pretty good considering I was in quite sorry shape. Whippersnappers are still not a threat.

[DoctorEldritch]

@PaulWoodard Ravens are more than classic, they got some nice cover by the Norse way before they became the modern classic. Odin had two. And he drank Mimisbrunnr water of wisdom, so he knows what's what. 😉

[DoctorEldritch]

@Saka my fear of snakes prevents me from imagining how it may look, so I'll take your spouse's word for it. Would you want to have a snake as a familiar, though? I know I would not, but I have my reasons, whatever works for you. Do you have a pet in WoW?

It is good to know that your situation got better and you can do kendo again. But I'd still be carful around whippersnappers until you're all rejuvenated, better safe than sorry, after what happened with that teenager last time.